All eight writers selected for the year-long Disney|ABC Writing Program have secured staff jobs on series for the 2016–17 television season, Shadow and Act reports. Three of the writers are women: Amanda Idoko, Janine Salinas Schoenberg, and Christina Walker.

This marks the sixth consecutive year that all eight participants of the Disney|ABC Writing Program have landed gigs on Disney/ABC Television series.

Idoko will be staffed on “Imaginary Mary,” Salinas Schoenberg on “American Crime,” and Walker on “Still Star-Crossed.” Walker will also co-write an episode of “American Crime.”

The program, launched in 1990, is considered to be one of most prestigious and successful writer programs in the business. “Approximately 50 alumni at levels ranging from staff writer to executive producer will be staffed during the 2016–17 television season, with 14 staffed on Disney|ABC networks,” Shadow and Act writes.

According to research from Dr. Martha Lauzen, women accounted for 26 percent of writers on broadcast network series in the 2014–5 season. The third annual Hollywood Diversity Report from the UCLA Bunche Center revealed that 10 percent or fewer of credited writers of broadcast scripted shows in the 2013–4 season were minorities.

“We’re proud that our selection of writers for this year’s writing program proved appealing to not only creative executives but showrunners as well,” said Tim McNeal, vice president, Creative Talent Development & Inclusion. He continued, “Just as we pride ourselves by introducing new diverse voices to the creative process at the lower level, we find it equally rewarding to champion the staffing of program alumni as a means to career longevity.”

Applications for the Disney|ABC Writing Program open in May. For requirements and details, click here.